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#3076 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 19,041
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Love the pictures. Really shows your journey through the years
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He who dares wins! He who hesitates is lost! ![]() |
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#3077 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,037
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2025 is finally here, and some thought is needed to prepare the car for the first meeting in mid April.
Never leave things to the last minute, bound to trip up! Seat belts. One of my pet hates in competition for my class (and others) is the belts are dated, generally with 4 or 5 years 'life' before you HAVE to change them. I have scrapped about 5 sets of belts at around £300 a set with this car, but if I have an old 1973 911 on the hills the original fixed lap belt is fine as long as it will pass the MoT. So, suddenly in late December '24 my belts have become dangerous and have to be changed. I've used them 180 times for around 40 seconds each time, I've used them for 2 hours... Anyway, have to comply or i do not race this year. The old Sabelt set were very awkward to link together before the run. They are 6 point belts and were designed for single seat formula cars. The crutch straps were separate and had to be looped through the shoulder straps to the buckle. Never got on well with them and once the belt came loose screaming up and around Prescott a few years ago at 80+ mph in a sweeping bend. Exciting. Time for a change to correct this and decided to go to TRS, a supplier I have used in the past. I wanted to avoid the 'custom made' route and found their FIA approved Caterham 6 point very close a fit for the Lola. The crutch straps are coupled to the belt release buckle, no loops, the 2 side lap straps click into the buckle as do the shoulder straps. The straps are all 2" wide so fit the Hans helmet restraint arms a treat. The lot should couple together quickly, adjust quickly and become comfortable quickly! I contacted TRS and spoke to Patrick who was great. He fully understood all the points i made and confirmed the sizes in general of the Caterham design, but wanted a sketch of my Sabelt harness 'as installed/adjusted in the car' just so the factory could be sure it would all work out. I sent him my quick rough sketch now the Sabelt set was out of the car. 24 hours later he confirmed everything was good and I chose the usual blue colour and paid him £360 which inc VAT and postage an about 10 days delivery. The belts would be labeled to be valid until the end of 2030; probably after I've retired from this game! 5 days later a rather light shoe box arrived and the belts inside. I quickly adjusted the straps one by one to be the same as the Sabelt items and refitted the seat. Got in with suitable clothing and the Hans on my kneck and all straps pulled up beautifully and released with such a nice smooth action. Fabulous! Nice to see that a UK company can give this level of service, accuratly and exceed my expectations. Made in the UK too.... What's next? An oil change. Fresh slicks. Down to McClurg Motorsport for a front end tweek (ride height) and a chassis look-over as the front tyres are 20 mm smaller in diameter than the now unavailable current tyres. The current tyres are 4 years old and started to feel sketchy late last year. ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#3078 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 6,154
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I'm pleased that you are happy with the new belts, Graham, and fully understand your's and others' irritation about belts, racing suits and helmets being lifed.
However, I sort of appreciate why the FIA and national bodies have gone down this route. Whilst your belts may have only been worn for around two hours over the last 5 years, other people may have been wearing theirs for the equivalent of days and may have been used in serious shunts. Same for Helmets, too but not to sure about racing suits. So it would be impossible to determine who would need to change theirs; far easier to just demand that every competitor should change after 5 years regardless of wear and tear. Les Leston would have been rubbing his hands in glee back in the day if this had been implemented when I was racing. |
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#3079 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,971
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Suits are not lifed in the same way, Mike, the oldest can legitimately be 25 years old. Helmets expire when the international standard runs out, that could be 10 years.
Strangely there is a derogation for cars in the road going class that do not have to have FIA safety equipment, so my ZR has an old seat and MiniMM's expired belts! (Both of which seem much sturdier than than the standard Rover items) Sent from my SM-G981B using Tapatalk |
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Midgetman - known as Max Tyler to the world. MaxAttaq! ![]() |
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#3080 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,037
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This all puts pressure on those entering the sport.
The wider entry costs are now quite high even if starting in a standard car like an MX5, cheapest helmet, overalls and gloves. The only bit of attire not yet dated are shoes. I guess most sports seriously entered are expensive. |
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#3081 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,828
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and we haven't touched on fire extinguisher systems yet ! I've become totally confused by the changing rules on pipe sizes, number and placement of nozzles, and whether pre-existing systems are still OK or does everything need ripping out and discarding?
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a salary slave no more... ![]() |
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#3082 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 11,765
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Forgetting about fuel cells, seems that aluminium home made ones are no more accepted. And if you compare aviation and motorsport, the same FT3 or équivalent is not covered during the same time.
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#3083 | |
Racer
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 107
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I do think our sport is head and shoulders above nearly everything though, esp at an amateur level.
I started racing 2017. Have stopped this year. Everything has gone up significantly since I started - belts, suits, helmets, extinguisher. Entry fees....simply bonkers - £595 for silverstone national, arguably the poorest track in the UK!!!!! (HSCC finals 2024). I genuinely don't think it has been more expensive (in real terms) that at any point since WW2. I do think MSUK need to think hard about this and understand that there is a world below professional motorsport. Could they have a more pragmatic approach to things like FIA standards for club level series. In fact, for a while, we did indeed allow a relaxed extinguisher criteria (vs FIA). We'll see... |
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#3084 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,037
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Yes, and some years ago head of MSUK, Derek Richards talked about 'grass roots' motorsport needing some easing on these things.
However, nothing except maybe some discounts at Halfords etc. This year; Licence: £150 Championship registration: £80 Seat belts: £360 Entries: £200 per weekend, that's 5 runs of around 45 seconds average, all of 3.3 minutes of track time. We do 10 events, so £2000 entries. ![]() You can't count 'misc' of fuels, food etc, but around £1000. We do not stop over anywhere for the meetings. But, of coarse, I don't HAVE to do this, so all I can say is it is pricey against time on track. I'm 73 very soon, and recon the trailer faffing about will stop me, but will carry on as long as I can, 34 years so far. As to fire ex systems, thankfully hillclimb cars do not need them but I have a hand held one to hand. It will be very hard to put this car down. ![]() |
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#3085 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 11,765
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Same sad situation here. Not only entry fees went skyhigh together with racing licence but the time on track becomes ridiculously low, when a sprint used to last almost 45 minutes its now 25 if no RF happens and includes SC, SC's and FCY when the race director likes to have fun. Free practice becoming mandatory, of course the costs have exploded too.
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__________________
Celui qui est parti de rien pour arriver nulle part,n'a de merci a dire a personne.Pour ceux qui vont chercher midi a quatorze heures, la minute de Vérité risque de se faire attendre longtemps. ![]() |
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#3086 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,971
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I scared the bejaysus out of a young driver's potential sponsor last week. Quoted 25k per year in junior karting.
Motor racing has always cost the same. Everything you have and just a little bit more. Sent from my SM-G981B using Tapatalk |
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__________________
Midgetman - known as Max Tyler to the world. MaxAttaq! ![]() |
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#3087 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,037
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It could certainly get out of hand.
My engine rebuild, all DIY cost £10K for 80 bhp more... This car has cost a lot over the years, but the last 5 to 8 years have been low cost except the engine. A pro build would have been around £22K 2 years ago. If I wanted to try to go faster then a modern car would be needed (assuming I could drive it faster) so that would be around £30 to find on top of the possible £30K the car might be worth. It would still mean i would/might be 1st in my Class's Championship, so in fact no gain at all. I would rather have 10 European road trips instead! Good bit is that we have great friendly weekends while competing and my wife gets a lot out of it too; she really likes motorsport (!). Rising costs were discussed many times last year and will be so again and again. I'm happy where the car is and our level of rewards for the efforts and the costs incurred, but they could be reduced in many ways. That is not going to happen. |
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#3088 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,037
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Had a reply from MSUK safety dept.
I asked if the two or one lables being hard to read/hidden due to the seat etc could be a problem at scutineering. Yes, the Scrute has the right to demand to see all lables so the seat would have to come out for that. Not wanting to risk that 9a real pain) I will open out the side appertures of the seat sides to give some visibility. Will have to add thickness to get a bit of strength back into the areas. Job for next week. Have started to re-floor the trailer. The centre cover boards have finally reached 'awful' so another awkward job to be done soon. 15 bolts all rusted solid....lovely. Still, they have lasted 14 years outside uncovered, so pretty good I think. |
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#3089 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,037
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Cut the new slots in the seat sides and very happy the labels are all now exposed and readable to the Scrutineer.
Found a small crack in the seat so fixed that too and all hoovered clean and bolted back in place. Pleased about this. Tyres soon and the oil change then a DEEP clean in late March and a fire-up, but trailer repairs next. ![]() ![]() |
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#3090 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,037
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The trailer now looks £500 more expensive than it did a week ago.
The new boarding is superb. Surprisingly easy to cut with the jig saw and sealed the cut faces with 2 coats of black Hammerite. The old counter sunk steel socket head screws were all rusted solid and in the end a lot of drilling and a cutting disc on an angle grinder cleared all 20 of them. These now replaced with stainless steel fasteners, the counter sinks painted over and the screws nipped down whilst wet. The old boarding was well and truly rough so a job done in good time. Painted the wheels and spare fresh silver smooth Hammerite by brush, came out well and re-packed the winch gearbox. Still howls a bit but fitted with straight cut steel gears. Finally, checked it and the electric mover all work using their hand sets. Whew, but good going though took around 10 hours! "The older I am the faster I was" comes to mind. Looks like that Porsche engine rebuild is coming my way, taking it our of a friend's car tomorrow to find the BIG oil leak source. Really hope it will be something simple. With 6 weeks to go until we start racing, this will be a job to be done asap. A 911 engine takes about a week to strip and wash. 2 weeks to sort the heads out (worst part of the job) and 2 weeks to re-assemble leaving just 1 week to mess about with the unexpected..... Tight! |
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#3091 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 11,765
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Electric mover… Spoilt child you! If you like rusty parts and more likely bolts, just buy a Mazda et voila… It took us more than five hours to change the two silentblocs of the dif and a full day to change all the suspension fasteners!
As to the leaking Porsche engine I wish you all the best hoping that its not the crank case as I had when the flywheel of my first 2,5 litre decided to become more fly than wheel! ![]() |
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__________________
Celui qui est parti de rien pour arriver nulle part,n'a de merci a dire a personne.Pour ceux qui vont chercher midi a quatorze heures, la minute de Vérité risque de se faire attendre longtemps. ![]() |
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#3092 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,037
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There are many 'flaws' in Porsche designs, old and new.
There are a few real teasers on my 1973 911, real apprentice efforts, and in the last few years several very expensive ones for owners. I was a big part of the invention of the original Caravan mover devices (Carver) so having one is a natural. They really are back damage saviors. These early 911 engines are made from several very large magnesium alloy castings and can be fragile to deal with. Slowly slowly catch your monkey! This is my 911 engine last out about 5 years ago: They are really large when out of the car, esp with the gearbox on the back. ![]() And, of course the lovely Lola engine; ![]() Last edited by 911thillclimber; 5 Feb 2025 at 22:43. |
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#3093 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 11,765
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Sure, money wise only the case studs, bolts and the huge quantity of nylocs and seals are budget consuming. Looks like a 3 litre, electronic injection and simple spark, right?
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__________________
Celui qui est parti de rien pour arriver nulle part,n'a de merci a dire a personne.Pour ceux qui vont chercher midi a quatorze heures, la minute de Vérité risque de se faire attendre longtemps. ![]() |
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#3094 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,037
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Nearly!
The engine is a 3200cc with full boche DME control from 1985. Lovely engine, now about 140K miles old and never been apart. I thrashed it on hillclimbs from 1994 and did 3000 miles a year on the road Even does 32 mpg, but does not like E10 fuel. The LOLA's engine is based on the same road engine but 1986. |
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#3095 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 11,765
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When I was deeply involved in the endurance championship we were running the crappy 2.0 liter version which was the weapon of choice in the GTS11 category. We had a batch of fans coming to the tracks, all petrol heads and belonging to Citroën group. They all owned or wanted to buy a Carreera 3.2 with a G50. It took a while to convince them that a 915 with the right bits was a good and more affordable choice. Later, I showed them that a 996 Cup gearbox is really easy to wreck!
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__________________
Celui qui est parti de rien pour arriver nulle part,n'a de merci a dire a personne.Pour ceux qui vont chercher midi a quatorze heures, la minute de Vérité risque de se faire attendre longtemps. ![]() |
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#3096 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,037
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915 boxes have a bad press, rush the change and they can/will bulk but not crunch.
My 911 and the LOLA have the 915. The real trick is to be super precise about aligning the shift tower positions to the box shift rod position making sure the box has detented to the gear chosen and the shift gate in the tower is not touching anywhere so there is a good degree of freedom for the lot to settle into a positive position. Get this wrong and the box becomes awkward = bad press. The G50 i suspect will take more torque, but you can bomb proof the 915 with aluminium alloy parts instead of Magnesium. The 915 story gets better when configured for mid engine drive train such as the LOLA's. I think all competition Porsches, esp endurance cars, had syncho boxes, not dog boxes? |
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searching Lola T492 rear brake disc | dr46rossi | Motorsport History | 2 | 24 Nov 2009 17:27 |